Thousands of young lives blighted by eating disorders, report finds

The study, by Department of Health economist John Henderson on behalf of the charity Pro Bono Economics, estimates that 310,000 young people aged 10 to 24 in England have an eating disorder that interferes with their ability to work, take on personal responsibilities and have a social life.

Of young people aged between 15 and 24, the report estimates that 245,000 have an eating disorder, three-quarters of which are women. It concludes that, as result, they suffer loss of earnings worth £2.25bn a year.

The report says that the cost of treating young people under 25 is likely to be 60 per cent of the total cost to the NHS of tackling eating disorders.

It also suggests the number of deaths from patients hospitalised with anorexia nervosa is equivalent to more than half the number of suicides of young women aged 15 to 24 in England annually.

The report’s estimate that 310,000 young people in England have an eating disorder is markedly less than the charity Beat’s own projection – which suggests that 1.6 billion people in the UK are living with an eating disorder.

A Beat spokeswoman said: “The report is the first time the economic impact of eating disorders has been properly estimated. The report does have its limitations though - it only focuses on England, young people and doesn’t include private health care.

"Many people with eating disorders are not in treatment and 40 per cent of people who are in touch with Beat have not even been to the doctors. We know the report doesn’t cover the full picture by any means, but it is a big step in the right direction.”

Overall, the report suggests that eating disorders cost the English economy £1.25bn every year.

“Young lives are being disrupted at crucial stages in their development with loss of education, hindering career prospects and premature death,” said Beat’s chief executive Susan Ringwood.

“This report clearly demonstrates that healthcare costs would be better spent earlier to stop the effects on sufferers, their family and the community.”